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Where can you find the cheapest colleges in 2024? With tuition fees constantly rising, finding the cheapest colleges can be difficult.
It is no secret that the cost of higher education has increased dramatically in recent years and decades.
Even taking inflation into account, average tuition fees have more than quadrupled between 1985 and 2019.
So if you're considering college (or a parent of a student), you're probably looking for ways to save money. Fortunately, it's possible to find a cheaper college—there are good deals out there no matter what you want to study.
We've broken down what to look for and then compiled a short list of the cheapest colleges we've found.
The average college costs
Most people assume that the cost of college has increased over time, but if you don't look closely, you may not realize how expensive it is today.
Here's a look at the cost of tuition and room and board at a four-year public university over the past three decades, compiled by the College Board:
- 1992-93 academic year — $12,190
- Academic year 2002-03 — $15,770
- Academic year 2012-13 — $22,790
- Academic year 2022-23 — $23,520
- Academic year 2023-24 — $24,030
As you can see, the cost of tuition and room and board has nearly doubled in the last 30 years. If you look at just tuition and fees, we've seen an increase of almost 2.5 times (from $4,870 to $10,940) at four-year universities.
And in the last year alone it has increased by another 2.1%!
Related: Statistics on college savings behavior
What is included in college costs?
Many reports only look at tuition costs at various colleges and universities. But tuition is only one part of the equation. For an accurate calculation, you must also consider various other expenses. These may include room and board, living expenses such as food and transportation, mandatory fees, books, etc.
Regardless of the cost, college can be worthwhile. It's true that both bachelor's and advanced degree holders earn more on average over their lifetime than someone with only a high school diploma. However, a lot depends on what field you want to work in and your personal and financial situation.
Another consideration is that while college graduates make more money over their lifetime, it comes at a price and money spent now is worth more than money you could make over the next 30 or 40 years. The best way to decide if college is right for you is to calculate your own expected ROI on college.
How to find the cheapest colleges and universities
Finding affordable colleges and universities is not as easy as you might think. Many public schools have lower tuition rates for residents of their state because state taxpayers help fund the university. Other schools may offer different tuition rates for certain populations.
One example is Brigham Young University, a private university of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tuition fees are lower for church members because church members' donations similarly contribute to paying university costs.
Second, many community colleges offer free tuition to students from their own state.
Just because a school's tuition is high doesn't mean you'll have to pay a lot out of pocket, either. Many expensive schools offer significant financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, or student loans. By working with the financial aid offices of the schools you're considering, you can get a better idea of what the true cost of college would be for you.
The 10 cheapest colleges in 2024
Just like our list of the most expensive colleges, here is a list of some of the cheapest colleges in the U.S. Unlike that list (where the “cheapest” college starts at tuition of $65,870 per year), this list starts at $8,790 for the most expensive college and keeps getting cheaper!
And remember, these are sorted by tuition for out-of-state students. Tuition for in-state students is likely much lower! This is a good reminder of why most people shouldn't apply to a college out of state.
The following colleges were ranked by U.S. News and World Report based on out-of-state tuition costs for students in 2023-24:
10. Bismarck State College
Instruction: $8,790
Bismarck State College is located in North Dakota and is part of the North Dakota state college system. It currently has about 3,700 students.
9. Minot State University
Instruction: $8,700
Minot State University is also located in North Dakota and is the third largest university in the state, currently enrolling approximately 2,800 students.
8. Delta State University
Instruction: 8,605 USD
Located in Mississippi, Delta State University places a strong emphasis on education and aviation and currently has about 2,500 students.
7. Alcorn State University
Tuition: $8,549
Alcorn State University is a designated Historically Black College in Mississippi. It currently has approximately 2,900 students enrolled.
6. Western Carolina University
Tuition: $8,532
Western Carolina University is part of the North Carolina University system. It is one of the larger colleges on this list and currently has nearly 12,000 students enrolled.
5. Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Tuition: $8,426
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is aptly named because it is located in the Oklahoma Panhandle. It currently has about 1,700 students.
4. Mississippi University for Women
Tuition: $8,092
Mississippi University For Women was founded in 1884, but has been coeducational since 1982. It is located in Mississippi and currently has around 2,300 students.
3. Wayne State College
Tuition: $7,932
Wayne State College is located in Nebraska and is part of the Nebraska state college system. The school currently enrolls approximately 4,200 students.
2. Louisiana State University – Shreveport
Tuition: $7,519
Louisiana State University Shreveport is part of the LSU system. Originally a two-year commuter college, it is now a full-fledged university and currently has about 8,500 students.
1. Fayetteville State University
Tuition: $6,262
Fayetteville State University is another school in North Carolina that is currently the most affordable college in America for out-of-state students. This college is another Historically Black College And University (HBCU) and currently has about 6,700 students.
By finding (and attending) one of these schools, you can avoid going into large student loan debt and get a higher ROI on your college investment. The total four-year costs of these colleges are below average and can provide you with positive earnings for a lifetime.
The conclusion
A college degree can increase your expected lifetime earnings, but it doesn't come for free. There are a number of ways to keep your college expenses low, but one of the most important is choosing a school with low tuition. When considering a school, look at the advertised tuition, but also contact the financial aid office to see what your total college costs might be. This will help you make an informed decision.
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